Barcelona Eye January Move for Arsenal Midfield Star – Report

Barcelona are tracking Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey for a potential transfer in January, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claims that the Catalan club have had their scouts in attendance during the Gunners' last four matches, while also watching the midfielder in action during Wales' matches against Belgium and Macedonia.

The Spanish champions are looking to pursue the former Cardiff City player who has been in display sparkling form this season. The Welsh midfielder has scored eight goals in 14 league matches, while providing five assists, one less than teammate Mesut Ozil.

However the 22-year-old will be mindful of the limited number of games that would come his way at Barcelona, given the competition for places with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets.

Fabregas has been a key member in Gerardo Martino's starting lineup this campaign, but has found it difficult to get playing time since his move to Camp Nou in 2011.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has reportedly entered into a discussion with his management and coaching staff with an aim to strengthen their squad. Their unbeaten run in La Liga ended against Athletic Bilbao in December at San Mames, losing to a solitary goal by Iker Muniain.

Ramsey will also be mindful of the fact that Arsene Wenger believed and continued to support him through his catastrophic misfortune where he suffered a broken leg on the back of a challenge by Ryan Shawcross in February 2010.

The Gunners have had a history of selling their star players in the past. However, Wenger has made clear his desire to keep Ramsey at the Emirates, even if there is a bid of £50m for the Welshman's services.

"No. We don't want to sell anybody, we want to keep the team together. I've suffered enough for years for having to sell the players. Now we are in a stronger position financially," Wenger told the club's official website.

With Wenger's latest comments and should the report be true, it is unlikely that the Gunners would allow their star player leave the club in the mid-season transfer window.